City begins moving offices to new space

by Laura Freeman | ReporterPublished: February 27, 2013 12:00AM

Hudson-- City offices are closing up shop at current locations as they begin the move to the Municipal Services Center, 115 Executive Parkway, Suite 400, in building 115, which faces Boston Mills Road.

The Hudson Community Development, Engineering, and IS/GIS departments were closed Feb. 25 through Feb. 27 as they were the first to move into their new offices, according to Communications Manager Jody Roberts.

Residents can reach Community Development at 330-342-1790 or Engineering at 330-342-1770, by email or through the City's website at www.hudson.oh.us during this time. They will be fully operational in the new location by Feb. 28.

Council Jan. 16 unanimously approved a three-year lease with Jacklin Properties LLC for 11,283-square feet of office space to consolidate seven departments under one roof.

"We have been examining ways to generate increased efficiency, improve services and operations and save money for taxpayers for some time," said City Manager Anthony Bales. "It was part of Council's Strategic Plan to improve government facilities. City departments are currently located in multiple buildings in different locations. With the Municipal Service Center, we will strategically improve the way our departments function and interact on a day-to-day basis."

The offices located at Town Hall -- the City Manager's Office, Clerk of Council, Finance, Utility Billing, and the Economic Development office at First & Main will move beginning March 4 through 6, Roberts said. These departments will be closed during that time but residents can contact them through the website www.hudson.oh.us, email or phone. All phone numbers will remain the same, she said.

Residents can drop off a utility bill payment at the drop box outside Town Hall or in the reception area of the new facility, Roberts said.

All offices will be open in the new Municipal Services Center March 7.

The city pays $81,000 per year for the space at the Evaporator Works, $10,438 per year for the First & Main Space for the economic development department, and $3,000 for storage fees, Roberts said. The new space will consolidate those three locations for approximately $83,000 per year.

Other departments, like public works and Hudson Public Power, could eventually be brought under the same roof, Roberts said. The three-year lease gives the city time to investigate what would work.